Global Symposium on Engaging Men and Boys in Gender Equality

Last week, 450 thought leaders, policy makers, diplomats, and
academics from more than 70 countries assembled in Rio de Janeiro for
the Global Symposium on Engaging Men and Boys in Gender Equality.
Co-hosted by MenEngage, which is co-directed by EngenderHealth staff
member Andrew Levack, the conference was the biggest-ever gathering of
the leaders of this growing movement.

The symposium builds on momentum garnered by EngenderHealth’s Men As
Partners® program—the largest and most ambitious program mobilizing men
to take an active stand for gender equality and health. With the goal of
increasing men’s and boys’ participation in promoting gender equality,
sexual health, and the prevention of violence against women, the
conference participants shared ways to expand programs and sustain
long-term impact.

Another priority for the attendees was furthering advocacy efforts,
making the case that engaging men and boys is important and transforms
social norms. Participants developed a “Call to Action” to promote men’s
involvement in realizing gender equality worldwide.

Several EngenderHealth staff members attended the conference and led sessions on the following topics:

Men and Sexual and Reproductive Health

Men, Masculinities, and HIV and AIDS

Engaging Men and Boys in Clinic and Social Service Settings

Aligning Gender Strategies: Engaging Young Women and Men to Achieve Gender Equality

For more information, read the daily blogs posted by EngenderHealth staff members who attended the symposium.